BREED  INFORMATION & HISTORY

History

Burmese cats lived for centuries in Burma, Thailand and Malaysia.  In the late 1800’s they were known in England as Chocolate Siamese.  The ancestry of Burmese cats can be traced back to a brown female cat named Wong Mau who is believed to have been the founding stock of the Burmese breed.  Dr Joseph Thompson imported her into the U.S.A from Burma in the early 1930’s. With a few other breeders and geneticists, Dr Thompson began a controlled breeding program and through selective breeding, the Burmese was established as a distinct breed.

Appearance

The Burmese is a strong, athletic, elegant short haired cat that carries surprising weight for its size.  It has a fine, close, even, and glossy coat.  Their coats are very short, satin-like in texture, and generally require little grooming other than daily petting.

At maturity, males are large, the females are more delicate and graceful, and the difference in weight between them can be up to 1 kg.

The Burmese is a compactly built cat, with a rounded head, ears of medium size set well apart, wide-set expressive eyes which should be yellow or golden. The Burmese has good bone structure and its tail is tapered.     
(Click to see Breed Standard)

Purrrrsonality

The Burmese is a very friendly inquisitive cat with an outgoing, loving nature.  When encouraged from kitten hood, they will fetch and play chase.  They will greet you at the door when you come home and comfort you when you are ill or unhappy—they give unconditional love.

They are an upfront cat, not left out of where there is social interaction.  They are a participator, alert, curious, intelligent.  Being very muscular, they love to jump and climb to high places.

Burmese settle down as they grow out of adolescence and they can be trained by saying NO!  kindly and firmly, but you need to start early and persist.  They are strong minded.                                                                           

They have a very social nature, and need company—human and feline. Therefore it is important to consider adopting two Burmese kittens (ideally the same litter) if you intend to be away from the house for long periods. This applies to all cats, but the more intelligent, social and active breed such as the Burmese it is particularly important that they have company.                          

Colours of the Burmese Breed

Brown
This was the first colour to be bred. In some countries, called sable or seal, the adult colour should be an even, rich, warm brown, shading to a lighter tone on the underparts. The nose leather and paw pads are brown. The eyes are deep to golden yellow.                                      

Chocolate 
The adult colour should be a warm milk chocolate with darker shading allowed on the points (face, tail, feet, ears). The nose leather is a warm chocolate brown and the paw pads range from brick pink to chocolate brown. The eyes are deep to golden yellow.  

Blue
The adult colour should be silvery grey with a sheen on the feet, face and ears. A slightly darker shade is permitted on the back and the tail, the underparts should be paler. The nose leather is dark grey and the paw pads are pinkish grey. The eyes are deep to golden yellow.

Lilac 
The adult colour should be a delicate dove grey with The nose leather and paw pads are lavender pink. The eyes are deep to golden yellow.                            

Red
The adults are light tangerine in colour. The ears are slightly darker. The nose leather and paw pads are pink. The eyes are deep to golden yellow.

Cream
The adults are rich cream in colour. The ears are only very slightly darker. The nose leather and paw pads are pink. The eyes are deep to golden yellow

Brown-Tortoiseshell
The adults have brown, red and cream patches, usually intermingled as if they were made of marble. The nose leather and paw pads are plain or blotched brown and pink. The eyes are deep to golden yellow.

Blue-Tortoiseshell
The adults have blue and cream patches, usually intermingled as if they were made of marble. The nose leather and paw pads are plain or blotched dark grey and pink. The eyes are deep to golden yellow.

Chocolate-Tortoiseshell
The adults have chocolate, red and cream patches, usually intermingled. The nose leather and paw pads are plain or blotched chocolate and pink. The eyes are deep to golden yellow.

 Lilac-Tortoiseshell
The adults have lilac and cream patches. The nose leather and paw pads are plain or blotched lavender pink and pink. The eyes are deep to golden yellow

Lynne Davis

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